Your Application

The Texas Apartment Association gives this explanation of what to provide on your apartment application, and about the associated fees and deposits.

When you find a place where you want to live, you'll probably be asked to fill out a rental application.

The application normally will ask for your current and past addresses, current and past employment, credit references, criminal history and other information the property owner or manager needs to make sure that you can afford to pay the rent and that you don't pose any risks to the property or the other residents.

* Application fees and application deposits
o In most cases, you will be charged an application fee to cover the cost of processing your application: running credit checks, verifying rental histories, etc. This fee is non-refundable.
o You may also be asked to pay an application deposit. This deposit does not become a part of your security deposit until your application is approved and the lease is signed by both parties.
o If your application is not approved, the deposit is refundable in most cases.
o Depending on the application you fill out, the application deposit may not be refunded if you are accepted but fail to move in, you fail to tell the truth on your application, or for certain other reasons.